Electron-discharge apparatus



W. C. WHITE ELECTRON DISCHARGE APPARATUS July 3, 1928. A 1,675,586

Original Filed June 5. 1922 Im/entor I /\/i||iarn QWH CQ,

- His fittprn ey.

, Patented July 3, 1928.

"UNITED STATES.

WILLIAM 0. WHITE,

PATENT ore-res;

OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERALELECTRIC COMPANY,'ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRON-DISCHARGE APPARATUS.

Original application filed June 5,- 1922,

In the operation .of electron discharge devices of the type hereinvolved,- particularly for the amplification ofhigh frequency cur-Q lrents, ditliculty is experienced because of the capacity which ispresent between the grid and anode electrodes. By reason of thiscapacity the efficiency of such devices for amplifying purposes whenemployed in the usual manner is greatly reduced. A further object of myinvention is to provide a con struction which will reduce to a minimumthe capacity between these two elements,

thereby permitting their operation at a higher elticiency than hasheretofore been possible.

It has been customary in the past to bring all of the leading-inconductors which sup- ,ply current to the electrodes out at one end ofthe receptacle in which the electrodes are enclosed and to provide abase for the receptacle consisting of ametalshell which enclosesa discof insulating material in which the contacts through which current issup-c plied to the device are mounted. The addition of this base to thedeviceresults in an appreciable increase in the capacity between anodeand grid electrodes,- which is objectionable for the reason above setforth.

In carrying my invention into effect I eliminate this objectionablefeature in the present form of the three-electrode electron dischargedevice. This is accomplished by extending the leading-in conductorswhich supply current to the electrodes only a short distance outside ofthe tube and arranging them in such a way that the ends of theleading-in conductors are adapted to make di-- rect contact with contactmembers through which current may be supplied. 1 also bring theleading-in conductor which supplies current to the anode out of one endof the tube and the leading-in conductor which supplies current to thegridout of the oppo- Serial-No. 566,024.. Divided and this applicationfiled March 27, 1924. Serial No. 702,450.

site end of the tube. As a result the capacity between these leading-inconductors which 15 present in the usual tube construction is almostcompletely eliminated, the

only capacity between the two electrodes being the llllilVOltltlblC-capacity present by reason of their parallel relation. By cutting offtheleadmgun conductors so that they extend only a short distance outsidethe tube the portions extending out oi the tube will be rigid enough toserve also as supports for the tube and it will be possible to securelysupport the tubes from suitable contacts s0 positioned as to makecontact with the leading-in conductors extending from the opposite endsof the tube.

The no\-'el-features which I believe to be clmracteristic of myinvention are setforth in the appended claim, the invention itselfhowever both. as to its organization and method of operation will bestbe understood by reference to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is aperspective View of an electron discharge device constructed inaccordance with my invention and mounted in a suitable holder; and Fig.2 is a plan View of the same with-a portion of the holder cut away.

As indicated in the drawing the electron discharge device comprises atubular receptacle' 1 containing a cylindrical anode 2 and grid andfilament or cathode electrodes within this anode. The filament, which isnot shown, is supported from its opposite ends by the supporting members3 and 4. A leading-in conductor 5 is connected to the supportingmember?) through a spring 6, which provides the desired tension on thefilament, and leading-in conductor 7 is connected to supporting member.4 through a transverse arm 8. A leading-in conductor 9 supplies currentto the grid, which is not shown, but which is'supported on a rod 10. Theanode. 2 is supported from its two ends by the arms '11 and 12. The arm11 is attached to the transverse arm 8 but insulated therefrom by meansof ahead 13 of insulating material and arm 12 is attached to a bridge 14of insulating material through which the leading-in conductors 5, 7 and9 pass.

By this constructionit .is possible to astheir desiredspaced relationbefore they are sealed into the tube. Current is supplied to the anodeby meansof a leading-in con-, ductor 15, which is connected-to the armllthrough a flexible connection 16. The leading-in conductors 5, 7, 9 and15 are made a to extend only. a short'distance outsideof thereceptacle 1. Inthis way even-though the leading-in conductors arecomparatively flexible, the portion extending outside of the receptacle.1 will be sufiiciently rigid to securely support the device.

I have shown in the drawing as a supporting means for the devicedescribed a base 17 having mounted thereontwo flexible contact members18 and 19 positioned just far 'enoughapart so that whenthe receptaclel-is placedbetween them the leadingin conductors 9-and will make contactwith both of these spring members.- An

upright support memberp2o, which is mounted on the base 17 carries thetwo spring contact members 21 and '22, which" are preferably in the sameplane as contact member 19, and these contact members 21- and 22 arearranged so as to make contact with the ends of the leading-inconductors 5 and 7 through which current is supplied to the filament.The upright member is provided with an opening 23, which serves as aguide for the insertion of one end of the device into the holder. The

guide member 2a is also provided for con- 1 venience in guiding theopposite end of the device so that the leading-in conductor 15 willmalrecontact with the contact memberpreferred embodiment of my inventionit will be apparentthat my invention is by nomeans limited to theparticular embodb ment shown anddescribed but-that many modifications inthe form and arrangement of theelectrodes of'the electron dischargedevice, as well as in the manner in which the contact members arearranged, may be made-without departing from the scope of my inventionas set forthin the appended claim;

That I-claim'as new and desire to secure.

by Letters Patent'of the United States, is K A mounting for an electrondischarge device comprising abase member, a pair of flexible contactmembers mounted thereon,

a supporting Imembcr v provided with an o'pemng,'a pair of springcontacts mounted on the supporting member at opposite sides of saidopening, said spring contacts and -one of said flexible contact membersbeing located in'su'bstantially thesame plane, the other of saidflexible contact members being mounted in a plane substantially parallelto the first mentioned plane.

In witness whereof,- I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day' ofMarch, 1924.

WILLIAM c. WHITE.

